As to the Mustang whistling, I believe this is to do with the Rolls-Royce Merlin primarily, and can be also heard on Spitfires.

My only problem with the Beau or any other aircraft during ww2 is a piston engine (sleeve valve or not) still so quiet that it is proclaimed to be almost silent.....hence the nickname. Surely no aircraft, especially a twin engine/fighter bomber/attack aircraft could literally sneak up totally unheard until it was overhead of the enemy. Even if the enemy truly couldnt hear it until the last second they wouldnt be foolish enough to march/move around with their heads down. I found the whole thing rather odd/impossible to sustain a constant surprise factor and lean towards the propaganda explanation. Infact i did hear it was a British reporter who was responsible for thinking up the idea/name simply to try to scare the Japanese.

I don't think that anybody is claiming the Beaufighter is almost silent, rather that it was much quieter than similar aircraft equipped with different engines, such as the Merlin

Agreed i understand that. Im not trying to argue a point just simply find it strange no matter how quiet a piston engine aircraft might be, (having worked and been around aviation technology past and present) i find it very hard to believe any ww2 aircraft could not be heard approaching not only on its bombing/attack run, but most likely it would be heard from a good distance. Aircraft engines of the period are notoriously distinctive when it comes to sound. Have a good day sir.

I was always under the impression "the jug" was a reference to an american milk jug. I have heard many accounts of how if stood on its nose the P-47 resembled a milk jug profile. Although personally i have never been able to see it. Recognize the profile/reference. Now im hearing it was a whiskey jug (thats a new one for me) but again i fail to see the likeness. I would be more inclined to believe in the Juggernaut reference as the P-47 was a very sturdy aircraft that was capable of sustaining huge battle damage and continuing to fly (get pilots home) A perfect example of this is Robert S Johnson in one of his first combat missions was heavily attacked by Fw 190s that almost shredded his P-47 and was then intercepted by German ace Egon Mayer who apparently used up all his ammo trying to bring down Johnsons Jug. Im sure everyone here knows or has heard of this famous aerial combat. Although there are quite a few conflicting accounts. One thing is certain, the P-47 was a very very well built and rugged aircraft perfectly capable of dogfighting even though i believe it was designed as a high altitude bomber destroyer. I think a lot of credit goes to one of the best radial engines to come out of ww2. The Pratt & Whitney R2800.